The Nyack Method of EVP Recording (NyMER)- Quadraphonic Recording of EVP Sessions for the Purpose of Determining the Location of Origin of Captured EVP’s.- First Experiment

Mitch Silverstein¹, Kevin Silverstein^1
1Nyack Paranormal- Nyack, NY contact@nyackparanormal.com http://nyackparanormal.com
March 22, 2010

Abstract:

EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) appears to be the most common form of data collected at paranormal investigations. Nyack Paranormal has designed a system where EVP sessions are recorded through four channels simultaneously; Nyack Method of EVP Recording (NyMER). Amplified microphones were evenly spaced in a square within the area to be recorded.  The microphones were calibrated with a constant tone in the center of the room. Standard EVP sessions were conducted as the four channels, perfectly synchronized, were recorded to a laptop computer. If audio was found that was of a unique origin, an analysis of the sound was performed.  The wave form peaks were measured and compared at the exact same point on the recording time line. The quantified data was processed with software specifically written for the experiment. In one session, three instances of unique audio were captured. In two of the instances the sound was heard live by the participants and the software generally located it to the point in the room where it was heard.  The third instance is a possible EVP which was located close to the point in the room where an investigator was standing.  This may possibly show that the EVP communication was directed specifically to an individual not only as an intelligent response but also by location as being “in your face”.

Method

A room or area was chosen that would minimize echo and artifacts.  The shape of the room and size was not critical as the system is scalable, however it should not be too small as to have the microphones too close together. We chose the Gentleman’ Quarters at the Shanley Hotel in Napanoch, NY for the experiment. The microphones were placed at the corners of a ten foot square and calibrated for equal volume.

Experienced investigators in groups of four to five performed standard EVP sessions that lasted approximately fifteen minutes each.  Three groups rotated through the room for three sessions total.  The groups were allowed to use their own investigation equipment as long as it didn’t disrupt the recording process.

This figure shows the four microphone locations (1, 2, 3 and 4) and the 10’ x 10’ grid within the Gentleman’s Quarters.

Results

The first two sessions did not produce any analyzable data. It is possible that it was too early as the sessions started at 8:10 PM. We will review the results from the third session which has three items of interest.

1- The session began at approximately 10:20 PM. with our friends Chris, Derek, Paul and Sandy from Tristate Paranormal of Northern Kentucky (TSP). Our recorder was running throughout the break between sessions and into this session so our time stamp is approximately fourteen minutes later than the groups own original recordings.  However, there were no problems synchronizing the recordings for review.

At ~27:33 of our recording, a low voice, almost a whisper can be heard saying “put that down”.  Listen HERE (it can be heard at the 23 second mark of this clip).  It barely registered dB peaks in the recording software.  The analysis with the Spinar software showed the voice originate approximately where Chris M. was located, standing at the foot of one of the beds (Figure 9).

Figure 9. The location of voice saying “put that down”. A= Chris M; B= Paul S.; C= Sandy B., D= Derek M. (T.S.P.).  Values: Mic 1= -45.4 dB; Mic 2= -36.7 dB; Mic 3= -40.6 dB; Mic 4= -41.5 dB.

Chris M. was using a device that projected a colored spot of light.  It is possible someone in the room asked to put it down, but not likely as it is a useful instrument that they use on investigations.  Voice spectrum analysis was reviewed using Pratt software. There is a resemblance between the voice captured Paul’s frequency pattern but not an exact match. This comparison is not conclusive but may lean towards a novel voice captured on the recording (Figure 10).

Figure 10. showing spectral analysis of voices. X-axis is frequency in Hz and the Y axis is time.  All show low tones, however, “put that down” shows similar patterns to other voices in the room at a much lower volume but not an exact match.

2- At 34.48 of our recording, a member of the group in session provided the usual “shave and a haircut” knock on the wall.  It was proceeded with a response to which all in the room reacted. The group detected that it came from the far end of the room, possibly two taps on a glass fronted wall clock which was not running at the time. Listen to the recording HERE. Inspection of a video that was taken during the session by the group showed heads turning in the same direction of the wall with the clock.  Spinar analysis confirmed the sounds originated generally from that end of the room (Figure 11).

Figure 11.  The general location where the tap tap response was heard. This picture shows the circles in the Spinar software that calculates the intercept showing the general locations of the sounds based on dB measurements from the Adobe Audition recording. Values: Mic 1= -23.6 dB; Mic 2= -45.3 dB; Mic 3= -26.5 dB; Mic 4= -48.9 dB.

The Spinar software did show the general location of the sounds.  It did locate it central to the far wall and well outside our recording grid. When we lower the Sensitivity setting in Spinar it brings the location much closer to the wall  and within our two foot expected error.

3- At approximately 38:28 of our recording there were a series of thumps captured.  Upon careful review they appeared to sound like footsteps.  The group responded as everyone heard them live in the room.  Listen to the audio HERE.

At one point on the audio Derek states it sounds like it is coming from an area by his feet.  The Spinar analysis shows just that.  The sounds were coming from the area by the foot of the bed (Figure 12).

Figure 12. The footstep sounds originated in the area between the two beds.
Values: Mic 1= -21.2 dB; Mic 2= -39.7 dB; Mic 3= -25.3 dB; Mic 4= -46.1 dB.

Discussion

The quadraphonic recording rig performed well.  The quality of the recording was fine and the frequency response recorded was as expected in the voice range between 100 – 5000Hz.   The calibration procedure there went smoothly.

Upon completion of each session, several participants reviewed their voice recorders for "hits".  The third session hits were reviewed on the quad recordings and all sounds captured on the voice recorders were also captured on the quad recorder although the quad microphones had a more limited frequency response.

As the hits were located on the quad recordings using Adobe Audition, each channel was reviewed for the sound and a higher peak was selected with the time stamp to the hundredth or even thousands of a second was noted.  The exact measure on each channel at this point was entered into the Spinar screen.

The location was not precise.  The accuracy was determined to be within approximately three feet relative to the 100 square foot area grid (within 1.5 feet in nay direction).  This level of accuracy still has significant ramifications however. It can shed much insight into whether a sound comes from within the room being investigated or imprinted on electronics.  A standard recorder or stereo recorder can not provide this information.  It can also help determine if the sound was of human origin by knowing the locations of the participants and locating the sounds around them.  even further, it can determine whether a sound comes from well outside the grid and may be contamination from another room or outdoors.

The possible EVP mentioned above, “put it down”, may provide information that may have significant ramifications in EVP research.  If we consider that the location found for this voice was basically right on top on an investigator, then this may show that the EVP communication was directed specifically to an individual not only as an intelligent response but also by being “in your face”!